Does a parent have a right to access psychotherapy notes about a child’s mental health treatment?

• A. Yes.
• B. No.
• C. Yes, with the child’s consent.
• D. Only if ordered by a court.

Answer: (B)

Psychotherapy notes are given special protection because they contain the clinician’s interpretations and sensitive material from therapy sessions. They are kept separate from the standard medical record and are not automatically accessible to patients or their guardians. Under privacy rules, releasing these notes requires explicit authorization from the patient, and for minors, parental access to these notes is not assumed. A parent would not ordinarily have the right to view psychotherapy notes about a child’s mental health treatment unless the minor provides consent to release them, or there is a specific legal mechanism (such as a court order) permitting disclosure.